Free Soccer Drills

Opposed Skill

13

Defending Outnumbered | Opposed (13-P3)

Organisation / Set Up

This opposed defending practice is part 3 of theme 13 Defending Outnumbered, working 3 defenders against 6 possession players. In this 25 by 25 Yard area, there is a 10 by 10 area where defenders will begin, the objective is for the passing team to combine with a single teammate in the central area to play through; defenders must stop this.

Key Coaching Points

(Tact) Decisions to press

(Tech) Body shape and position in defending 1 v 1.

(Psych) Support teammates by covering effectively.

Progressions & Constraints 1

By allowing attackers to play through to the opposite half without going through the central square, forces defenders to cover more space.

Progressions & Constraints 2

Reduce the challenge, by conditioning the possession team to 2 touch, allowing defenders more chance of winning the ball by pressing early to regain..

Key Questions

How are you regaining possession by pressing effectively?

How and when do you decide to press as a group?

How do progressions influence your defending and how do you adapt as a defensive group?